Monday, November 7, 2016

The Presidential Circus of 2016

It is election eve. Time magazine has posted a picture of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton together, holding a sign saying "The End Is Near."

That statement could be open to several interpretations

This current election cycle, however, is nearing its end. It has lasted approximately 82 years. At least it feels that way.

When thinking back on this election, I am reminded of a three-ring circus. At the center is Donald Trump, the ringmaster who shouts insults and slanderous remarks at the circus performers. Half of the crowd screams in approval. The other half pelts him with popcorn and soda cups.

At the center ring is Hillary Clinton, who walks precariously on a tightrope above a huge pit divided into two parts. One part contains thousands of swirling emails. The other is occupied by a so-called "basket of deplorables" holding pitchforks and sharp sticks and eagerly waiting for her to falter.

In the left-hand ring, we have Bernie Sanders, staunchly trying to tame the lion that is the Democratic Party with a spray bottle filled with water. The right ring contains a clown car out of which pop the 16 former Republican presidential hopefuls. There never seems to be an end to them and they make absolutely no sense as they climb over each other and attempt to shout down one another. They are, however, clearly terrified of the ringmaster, who declares them all idiots and keeps pointing to his hands, showing off how large they are.

I am not excited nor hopeful of the change to come in 2016. If Clinton is elected, she will be continually surrounded by controversy, distrust and questioning of her judgement. A Republican-held Congress would behave much as they have over the past six years by putting partisanship ahead of what is good for the country, preferring to mimic a group of preschoolers in a sandbox who will take their toys and go home if they don't get their way.

And if Donald Trump wins, there will be no more elections. Either he will declare himself president for life, or we will all be dead in four years.

Either way, I am steeling myself for a not-so-bright future. I wish I could be like an ostrich and simply stick my head in the sand until the next election cycle. Or until the earth is blown to bits when some world leader says something insulting to Donald Trump on Twitter.

If you are excited about your particular choice for president, I wish you luck. If you are like me, the best advice I can give you is keep drinking until the election is over. Then stay drunk for the next four years.

If you are disappointed with tomorrow's results, don't despair for long. After all, it won't be long until the circus is back in town.